Congruence of Knowledge, Experiences, and Preferences for Disclosure of Diagnosis and Prognosis between Terminally-Ill Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers in Taiwan

Abstract

The arguments that cancer patients from an Asian culture (i.e., Chinese/Taiwanese culture) have different preferences regarding being informed of their diagnosis and prognosis and that family members have legitimate superior power in decision making could not be supported by data from this group of terminally-ill cancer patients. Physicians need to respect patients' preferences rather than routinely taking the family's opinions into consideration first in the event of disagreement. Equipped with adequate information, terminally-ill cancer patients from Asia may have better opportunities to make end-of-life care decisions that are in accord with their wishes.